Oshawa on the road to promoting a cycle culture

Oshawa This Week

In a city such as Oshawa, it's difficult to shake the 'car culture' image that has developed in lockstep with generations of automotive assembly.

But the city continues to evolve. Formerly derelict areas in the city are slowly being revitalized. The arrival of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology continues to reshape the downtown core. New development has swallowed huge swaths of land north of Taunton Road. New arrivals to the city bring new demands for services and facilities.

In answer to some of those changes and new demands, the City of Oshawa has upgraded Mary Street and included a new dedicated route for cyclists. A southbound lane stretching three kilometres is strictly for those on bicycles -- no vehicle parking allowed -- to encourage cycle commuting, fitness and promote the lure of a safe, open road for adventurous residents who want to explore the wider community.

There are other similar lanes in Oshawa, though this is the first that sets aside a portion of the road just for cyclists. It could also mark the beginning of a renaissance in local cycling, if trends continue and if City officials continue to acknowledge the benefits of this mode of transportation.

And its particularly fitting that this portion of southbound Mary Street was selected as the first of its kind. It is a busy route connecting the northern campus of Durham College and UOIT with the downtown core (a northbound lane also exists, although cars can park in the marked bicycle lanes), and sets the stage for future cycling initiatives.

In that regard, the opening of the new lane neatly coincides with a draft cycling strategy released by the Province seeking public input. The strategy discusses such issues as support for municipalities in developing local cycling networks, public education campaigns and the potential creation of a provincial network. The City, meanwhile, is also working actively on a long-term local cycling strategy.

As fuel and motor vehicle costs rise, cycling will only continue to grow in popularity as a means of local transportation.

In that context, it's important for the City of Oshawa to get in front of the issue, identify areas for cycling development, continue discussions with local cycling advocates to seek their knowledge and promote safety, and work towards developing more routes.

Oshawa was awarded bronze-level status as a cycle-friendly community earlier this year by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition. If progress continues to be made, surely there is gold in Oshawa's future.
-- Oshawa This Week